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| The
twisting |
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The twisting consists in impressing a torsion
to the silk thread in order to obtain materials with different characteristics.
For this operation, circular twisting frames started to appear from
the XIII century. They were also called ‘silk mills’, and,
according to the rotation direction of the machinery, the final threads
were of two types:
- spinned thread: “Z” torsion;
- twisted thread: “S” torsion.
Initially, the twisting process was carried forward in the Great Twisting
Frames’ room in San Leucio, with two different circular machines,
one for the spinning and the other for the twisting method. In 1789,
two twisting frames were operating at the Belvedere, one with 480
spindles and one with 720. These two machines have been completely
restored and still today are perfectly functioning through the engine
push of an enormous hydraulic wheel in the basement of the Great Twisting
Frames room. Seven other twisting frames were subsequently added in
the area of “Vicolo Freddo” (cold alley).
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Virtual tour in San Leucio |
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